A Beast's Tale

Chapter 65

 "Hey, Chevalier," Leon called to me. I didn't slow my pace, but he caught up to me within a few strides. "Do you have a minute?"

"What is it?"

He jerked his head to the side. "In here."

I followed him into his office, which was again a disaster zone. I would never understand how he, Jin, and Licht accomplished this every day. Yves tidied up as often as he could, but even when Leon let Theresa clean in here on a regular basis, she couldn't maintain a state of order.

"Gilbert brought one guy with him. He was wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled over his face, and he moves fast, so I only got a glimpse of him. I don't think Gilbert brought anybody else, so this guy has to be good."

I nodded. "And Number One?"

"No news in the city yet, but it won't be long until word about the First Prince of Obsidian staying here gets around. That'll upset plenty of people. He's doing what he can to head it off and soften the blow."

"I tightened security at the border while I was there. No signs of activity from the Obsidianite army yet, and it will be much harder for him to relay orders without our knowledge. Number One's charity work needs to stop."

"Yeah, I know. I'm gonna talk to him about it when he gets back." Leon sighed. "I suppose you won't tell me what Clavis was up to?"

I smirked. "You tend to your traitor, and I'll tend to mine."

He laughed. "At least they've got good hearts. One more thing before you go. I've had an Obsidianite spy among my troops for a while. I picked him out right away, and he hasn't made a move yet, so I've been keeping him close, seeing what happens. If he's gonna do anything, now would be the time. His name's Julius."

I raised an eyebrow. "The head of your knights?"

Leon shrugged and gave me a sheepish grin. "Told you I was keeping him close. He's been here for three years, and I'm hoping he's had a change of heart, but we're about to find out. Don't worry. I'll take care of him myself if it comes to that. I'm just letting you know."

"You're too soft," I muttered as I opened the door.

"Speaking of which, I saw Ivetta when she and Clavis got back from her lunch break. She wanted to see you as soon as you were free." Leon's grin widened. "I think you're in trouble."

I knew I was in trouble.

Despite his eccentricities, Clavis was every bit the gentleman he claimed to be. He might have been in bed when she knocked on his door, and he must have drugged her with a sleeping draught to keep her in his room and out of Gilbert's way all morning, but he wouldn't have shared his bed with her after she lost consciousness. He would have tucked her in and then busied himself with the extra paperwork he always took back to his room. The experience would still have humiliated her, especially since he would have resumed his usual teasing and flirting the moment he woke her for her lunch break. She might have realized my intention was to keep her away from Gilbert. Whether she had or hadn't, I was in for a scolding.

If she didn't vent all her frustration on Silvio first.

"I told you not to turn your back on me!" he shouted as I opened the library door. He grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him. A surge of anger made me pick up my pace, but Clavis had already slid an arm around her waist and pulled her back from Silvio—and against his chest.

"Now, now, is that any way to treat a lady?" he asked.

"Prince Clavis—" Ivetta protested, blushing as he settled his other arm around her stomach.